Today was the twins' first Easter at home! Last year Easter fell much earlier and they were still in the NICU. Last night we started the festivities by decorating eggs. I found a Sesame Street kit at the last minute. The twins weren't really interested, so Tim and I did the decorating - it was pretty fun! Today we went to SueSue's and ate a delicious lunch. We made an honest effort to get a picture of both kids at the same time, but weren't very successful. It was also impossible for Brooklyn to keep a bow on her head! The twins and mommy took a great nap when we got home, and when we woke up we finally got to see what the Easter bunny brought. The twins loved banging their eggs together and on their Easter pails. The eggs provided a good hour worth of entertainment!

Brooklyn is now officially a walker! She still gets a little wobbly at times, but can go pretty far! Tayden took his first steps on Wednesday, so before long he will be walking as well! Brooklyn has figured out how to climb up on the tote that we use to keep them out of the kitchen and we have found her standing on top of it more than once! We must find a new way to keep her contained!!! She now has three teeth (1 on top and 2 on bottom) and is working on a fourth. Tayden has five teeth (3 on top, 2 on bottom). They both continue to eat well - there aren't too many things they don't like. I am always looking for more things to try to give them a variety of options. They love Fruity Pebbles cereal bars, baby goldfish, Sesame Street crackers, sliced cheese, and of course mac and cheese! They are still taking four bottles a day and using their sippy cups more. They now take a 2-3 hour nap and then sleep 10-12 hours at night! We are able to lay them down in the pack-n-plays and they will fall asleep on their own. So the next step will be their cribs - they are ready!

We officially put our house back on the market last weekend. We are going to try and sell it until the end of May, and then consider leasing it as an investment property. We desperately need more space and I would like to move this summer while I am off work. Please pray that we will find a buyer during the coming weeks!

The other night I drove to Alvord to visit my best friend Lindsy. On the way I heard an amazing song - I Will Stand By You, by Rascal Flatts. It instantly brought tears to my eyes. It easily fits many situations we might face throughout our lifetimes. For me, it perfectly summarized the unconditional love I feel for my babies. If you haven't heard it - you must!!! We hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Today was a GREAT day. Tim, Brooklyn, Tayden, SueSue, Mimi, Payton, and I walked the 3.2 mile (We really think it was closer to 5 miles) March for Babies for the March of Dimes. We had decided yesterday evening, after seeing the sky fill with smoke from the wild fires at Possum Kingdom, that Tim would stay home with the babies so that they would not be exposed to the smoke. This morning when we woke up the wind was no longer gusting and the sky was clear so we packed up and all went - and I am so glad that we did. The walk began at Farrington Field and ended at Trinity Park. It was a nice route and we were able to walk along the Trinity River for part of the time. The babies did very well - they didn't get fussy or sleep - they were too busy checking everything out. At the beginning of the walk we saw our friends from the NICU - the Simon family: Michelle, Kris, Will, and Alex. The last time that we saw each other our babies were all very small and fragile and now they are so big and healthy. It was confirmation of just how important it was for us to be there walking for healthy babies. We saw so many families, each with their own story, representing a different child or children that had been touched by loss, birth defects, or prematurity. Along the route their were banners highlighting some of these children. It was extremely moving and another reminder of how blessed we have been on our journey. It was very inspiring to see so many people walking to support a wonderful cause. Our team - The Rowdy Russells - raised $250! We are already looking forward to next year's walk. I will begin recruitting walkers and fundraising earlier next year. When we got back to the car we changed diapers in the back end of the car. Brooklyn escaped into the car diaperless and made it far enough so that I could not reach her. She then proceeded to tinkle and then stand in it - never missing a beat. We will definitely be getting the back end of the car cleaned very soon!

Earlier this week Tayden had his appointment with the neurologist. Our pediatrician referred us just to make sure that someone who specializes in heads/brains confirmed her diagnosis that all is well. Tim and Tayden met with the doctor and he did confirm that everything looks great. He did look at the MRI scans from November and saw the same cyst that the radiologist had seen, but said that it is definitely benign and very common. It should not cause him any problems. He said that many people have this cyst and never know because they never have MRIs. This good news was definitely an answered prayer!

The twins both continue to thrive. Brooklyn is walking and talking more and more. She can now pull herself up on the couch - YIKES! Tayden is standing on his own more frequently and can now show us "1" with his fingers. He is quite the flirt. When ladies would talk to him on the walk he would start laughing and smiling. At our post walk lunch he spent most of the time turned around in his highchair making googly eyes at the little girl behind us. When Brooklyn finished eating lunch she laid back in her highchair and went to sleep. They were pooped and we all took very good naps. We hope everyone is having a great weekend! We greatly appreciate everyone who donated to our team and those brave souls that walked with us today. What a great new tradition!!! Love you!